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Asking 'Who am I' is honesty in face of falseness || Acharya Prashant, on Raman Maharishi (2015)
Acharya Prashant
6.6K views
10 years ago
Shri Ramana Maharshi
Self-inquiry
Atman
Rebellion
Mind
Truth
Shadows
Knowledge
Description

Acharya Prashant describes Shri Ramana Maharshi as an absolute rebellion whose teachings are centered on the principle that purity is oneness. While other traditions or figures like Shri Krishna and Kabir Saheb might offer diverse paths or many chapters of guidance, Shri Ramana Maharshi maintained a singular, one-pointed response to every inquiry: "Find out who is asking the question." He explains that the mind is typically a slave to appearances and diversity, such as various colors, sounds, and forms, but Shri Ramana Maharshi refuses to acknowledge this diversity as real, asserting that only the Self is real. The speaker highlights that Shri Ramana Maharshi's method of self-inquiry, or the "Who am I?" technique, is a rebellion against traditional scriptures and rigid formulas. He suggests that scriptures are intended for those who are still learning or deluded, rather than for those who have attained true knowledge. Instead of prescribing specific paths like devotion or selfless action, he insists on identifying the one who is troubled or inquiring. Acharya Prashant notes that the moment one attempts to find the "troubled one," they often find peace instead, as the inquiry itself becomes the method. Acharya Prashant further explains that the mind is not naturally restless but has acquired restlessness as a habit. It constantly seeks stability and permanence within a world of change, which leads to suffering. He uses the metaphor of light and shadows to describe the choice between truth and delusion. While shadows offer diversity and the ability to play with falsities, the truth requires surrender. He concludes that facing the truth involves being honest with oneself and turning away from the momentum of old habits and the deceptive security found in shadows.